I wrote you a personal letter on the 5th instant in reference to the members of the Local Board for Watauga County, to wit: Messrs. J. D. Councill and John Lewis, stating their condition, that they were poor men and had large families entirely dependent on their labor for support, and informed you that Messrs. Linney and Bingham, had recommended them in order to better their condition, the salary was then reasonble, and stated that Mr. Bingham was worth something like $25,000.00 and Mr. Linney was worth about $40,000.00, and about the time they were relieved the salary was cut off, and the little allowed them were never paid, so that Messrs. Councill and Lewis have not received anything.

Maj. John D. Langston, writes me, as he says: “By direction of the Governor,” “that the tenor of my letter was not approved, and that I occupying an official capacity have no authority for stating what is and what is not just on the part of the Government in connection with this work, and the tenor of his letter seems to question my loyalty. I say any man has a right to say what is just and what is not just---a privilege that I expect to exercise as long as I live. Justice is blind, and should abide in every man’s heart, which should be the supreme thought, in every man holding a public position. It is one of the cardinal virtues of a civilized people, that even extends beyound the grave.

I do not have to prove my loyalty. It was tested during four years of bloody war, and I carry four wounds received in battle, and my justice or loyalty has not been doubted. Within a sound of a horn from my residence ten boys went to War. My grandson didn’t wait to be drafted, my nearest neighbor sent three sons--all he had--two under age. Another neighbor sent two, all he had with him; a widow woman sent two, one under age; two other neighbors sent one each, all in camp now drilling and have been there since last Summer, all of which was largely through my influence.

Governor, I don’t believe you ever read the letter, Major Langston sent me, which letter was about as little approved by me as mine was by him. I hope you will examine my letter and see if I stated anything improper to you, and send me a copy of it, as I have none, that I may re-read it again and see for myself, if there is in it anything improper.

Kindly be frank with me Governor, and tell me whether you dictated or authorized the language that Major Langston wrote to me, and if you did not Major Langston will hear from me.